Word Study for H3729 (כְּפַת)

kᵉphath /kef-ath'/ Ask about this word

Meaning(Aramaic) a root of uncertain correspondence; to fetter

KJV usagebind.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kᵉphath — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word kᵉphath, represented by H3729, means to fetter or bind. It is a highly specific term, appearing just 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage is confined entirely to the third chapter of Daniel, where it describes the physical restraint of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical context, H3729 is used repeatedly to emphasize the state of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they face the fiery furnace. The narrative sequence highlights their complete subjugation to King Nebuchadnezzar's decree. First, the king commands his strongest soldiers to bind the three men Daniel 3:20. Subsequently, the text confirms they were bound in all their garments and cast into the furnace Daniel 3:21. As they are thrown in, they "fell down bound" Daniel 3:23. Finally, a stunned Nebuchadnezzar recalls the event, asking his counselors, "Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" Daniel 3:24.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help frame the context of being bound:

H1400 gᵉbar (man): This word identifies the subjects who were bound. The text repeatedly refers to the "three men" who were bound and cast into the fire (Daniel 3:23, Daniel 3:24), establishing the human objects of this divine test.
H7412 rᵉmâh (to throw, set): This verb describes the action taken upon the bound men. Nebuchadnezzar questions if they did not cast the men into the fire Daniel 3:24, indicating a forceful act of judgment. The same word is used when Daniel is cast into the den of lions Daniel 6:16.
H5308 nᵉphal (to fall): This word describes the consequence of being bound and cast into the furnace. The three men fell down bound into the flames Daniel 3:23, illustrating their helplessness in that moment.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H3729 is rooted in the powerful contrast it establishes between human authority and divine power.

Human Helplessness vs. Divine Deliverance: The act of being bound underscores the complete physical powerlessness of the three men. This makes their subsequent miraculous survival all the more profound, as they are later seen "loose, walking in the midst of the fire" Daniel 3:25.
The Futility of Earthly Power: Nebuchadnezzar's order to bind the men is an expression of absolute royal authority. However, the outcome reveals its limits, as the fire that consumed their restraints had "no power" over their bodies Daniel 3:27.
A Prerequisite for Miracles: Being bound is the final state of the men before God's intervention. Their fetters represent the last step of their trial before their faith is vindicated and God's glory is revealed to the pagan king.

Summary

In summary, H3729 kᵉphath is a term whose limited use provides a sharp theological focus. While simply meaning "to bind," its exclusive appearance in the fiery furnace narrative makes it a key element of the story. It serves to highlight the captives' physical helplessness, the apparent totality of the king's power, and the dramatic reversal brought about by God's miraculous intervention, turning an instrument of restraint into a symbol of liberation.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

מְכַפְּתִין
כְּפִתוּ
כַפָּתָה

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

4 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.